Using Command line switches in Outlook

When you’re having problems with Outlook you may be told to start Outlook using a specific command line switch (the most common switch is probably the “safe” switch).

To do this:

Close Outlook

At the Start menu, Select Run

Enter Outlook /switch. The screenshot below shows how you enter it, using the /safe switch as an example.

* Then click OK to start Outlook.

Occasionally you’ll need to use the full path to Outlook, then the command line looks like this:

If you are using Outlook 2010:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE” /switch

If you are using Outlook 2007:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE” /switch

If you are using Outlook 2003
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\OUTLOOK.EXE” /switch

Notes:

Before using a command line switch, you need to close Outlook and verify it’s closed in Task Manager’s Processes tab.

Paths that include spaces between words must be enclosed in quotation marks (“) and are case sensitive.

If you use Vista or Windows 7, you can type the command line in the Start Search field on the Start menu or type Run to open the Run dialog. The Windows key+R will also open the Run dialog in Windows XP, Vista, and Win7.

If you want to create desktop shortcuts using a switch, you’ll need the full path, such as to open Outlook to a specific folder:

If you are using Outlook 2010:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE” /select outlook:calendar

If you are using Outlook 2007:
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE” /select outlook:calendar

If you are using Outlook 2003“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\OUTLOOK.EXE” /select outlook:calendar

Listed below are some of the more useful switches for beginners:

/cleanremindersClears and regenerates reminders.

/cleanviewsRestores default views. Use with care as all custom views you created are lost.

/nopollmailStarts Outlook without checking mail at startup.

/nopreview
Starts Outlook with the Reading Pane or Preview pane off (and removes the option from the View menu for Outlook 2002 and older).

/profile profilename
Loads the specified profile. If your profile name contains a space, enclose the profile name in quotation marks.

Using the default profile name Outlook uses when you use the wizard to create a profile:

outlook /profile OutlookCreate desktop shortcuts to load a specific profile (such as when two users share the same Windows logon) – use the following command line in the shortcut, replacing my name with your profile name:

Categories

Categories

Get the free eBook

As a Microsoft Partner, we have been helping thousands of Outlook users all over the world for more than years. We are a located in the tropical islands of Fiji and specialize in development for and with Microsoft® Outlook®
and the rest of Microsoft Office (Microsoft® Access® /Microsoft® Word ®/Microsoft® Excel®).